Tank cleaner



Jan. 26, 1932.

A. J. LU RRY TANK CLEANER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 5, 1928 Jan. 26, 1932. A. J. LURRY 1,843,036

TANK CLEANER Original Filed Nov. 3, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheec 2 w l I 25 l ii I I 17 71 70 l Iii VI' 2 r 1! 9 1 5 155mm w a? {9 65 59 i 4'7 6v 6! WW 5 e/ZJLurry A. J. LURRY TANK CLEANER Jan. 26, 1932.

Original Filed Nov. 3, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 25, 1932 warren srares ABNER J. LURRY, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA TANK CLEANER Application filed. November 3, 1928, Serial No. 317,098.

The presentinvention relates to improvements in tank cleaners, and has for an object to provide an improved cleaning device constructed for application to tank cars, boilers and the like in which streams of cleansing fluid may be directed internally of the containers to be cleaned.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cleaning device in which provisionis made for the entrainment of air in the spray streams, to eliminate what are commonly known as dead air spaces, which prevent a proper and complete circulation of the cleansing fluid to the entire internal surface of the container.

A further object of the invention resides in providing an improved cleansing device of simple and compact construction, so arranged and disposed as to be admissible '20 throughthe dome opening of a tank car and to be supported in the dome while in action.

A still further object of the'invention is to provide an improved cleansing device in which the flow of the cleaning solvent is visible and its regulation made easy and reliable.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side view, with parts broken away of a tank with the improved device applied thereto and shown in side elevation.

Figure 2 is a sidev elevation of the device with parts broken away and taken on an enlarged scale. I I

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 in Figure 4. g, V

.Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 44 in Figure 2. e

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 55 in'Figure 2. i i

Figure 6 is a cross section taken on the line 66 in Figure 2. v

Figure 7 is also a cross section taken on the line 77 in Figure 2.

Renewed July 13, 1931.

Figure 8 is a further cross section taken on the line 88 in Figure 2, and

Figure 9 is a horizontal section taken on the line 99, also in Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 10 designates a tank, such as found on the railway tank cars or a boiler or other form of container to be cleaned.

The container is shown as having a drain opening 11 in its lower portion and a dome 12 in its upper portion. The dome is usually closed by a closure cap of well known construction (not shown). In accordance with the invention a closure cap 13, simulating the general construction of the usual cap is provided. This closure cap fits into the opening in the dome 12 and is provided with a flange 14 for engaging against the dome wall to retain the cap in place. A breathing opening 15 is made in the cap 13 for avoiding any formation of vacuum in the tank; and the cap 13 is further provided with a second opening extending about the upstanding flange 16, which flange reinforces the cap at the point where the cleaning device is supported.

The cleaning device is admitted through an opening within the flange 16 and is carried by a flanged collar within the flange 16. The collar referred to is indicated at 17 and the flange of the collar at 18. At the outer margin of the flange 18 is carried a rim 19 having a beveled outer peripheral wall for engaging in the flange 16, such flange 16 preferably also having its inner wall tapered to agree with the taper given the rim 19, whereby to retain the cleaning device from falling into the tank. The collar 17 is formed with openings, preferably four in number, to slidably and adjustably receive the solvent carry- L ing pipes 20 and 21 and the steam or pressure fluid pipes 22 and 23. Set screws 24 maybe carried by the collar 17 for the purpose of binding against one of the pipes to hold the cleaning device in the adjusted position.

At their upper ends the solvent carrying pipes 20 and 21 are let through openings made in the base 25 of a solvent receiver having the side wall 26 for forming with a central diametric partition 27 a pair of chambers opposite ends withsteam chambers Figures 3', 5 andv 28 and 29. As shown in 6, the partition 27 is provided with a passage 30 communicating at 31 and 32 which are enclosed by the partition walls and which do not communicate with the cups 28 and 29. These steam chambers 31 and 32, however, do communicate with the steam pipes 22 and '23, as shown in Figure 5, such pipes being let in tothe steam chambers or receiving cups through the base 25.

As shown in Figure 5, the opening 30 in V the partition and the chambers 31 and 32 are closed by top wall 33 and'threaded 1n th1s ,on the valve casing 40. Internally this valve casing 40 provides a central receivlngchaiu her '41 having lateral outlet ports 42 and 43, which are controlled by valves 44 and 45 havingthreaded engagement with the valve casing and projecting laterally beyond the valve casing in opposite directions where such valves may be adjusted by the use ofhand wheels 46 and 47. When the valves areopen the flow of the solvent from the central chamber 41 to the cups 28 and 29 is permitted through ports 48 and 49 madein the bottom walls of the valve casing which rests upon the 3 side wall 26 of the solvent receiver. As shown in Figure 4, pairs of perforated ears 50 and 51 are provided onthe valve casing 40. The perforations in these cars are adapted to register withthe threaded openings 52 and 53, as shown in Figure 6, which threaded openings are made in enlarged bosses of the solvent receiver. l Screws or other fastenings 54 and 55 pass through the perforated ears and are threaded intothe sockets52 and 53 for holding the valve casingand solvent receiver-into one assembly. 7 1 I At the lower ends of the pipes or tubesis a nozzle device including a cover plate 56 pro- .3 vided with openings through whichthefour tube ends extend and areexpanded or otherwise held therein. The cover plate 56 is secured by fastenings 57 to the flange 58 of anozzle housing or nozzle holder59. v In the holder are providedsolvent chambers 60 and 61 located at opposite sides of a central tra ns;

V verse partition 62. Nozzles 63 and 64 project into the end walls of the chambers 60 and 61 and communicate internally, with the chambers, as snown in Figure 9. These nozzles in Figure 1.

are preferably flanged nozzles as shown in Figures 3 and 9, the flanged ends of the nozzles projecting out into enlarged lateral outlet ports 65 and 66, the diameters of the ports being greater than the diameters of the nozzles or their flanges. These ports 65 and 66, as, shown in Figure 9, communicate with the steam chambers 67 and 68 which receive steam from the steam pipes 22 and 23.

It will benoted from Figure 3 that the upper portions'of the solvent chambers 60 and61 are provided with sloping ledges 69 and 70 which are disposed immediately beneath thelower ends. of the solventdelivery tubes 20 and 21for receiving and guiding the solvent into the chambers 60 and 61 gasket 71 is preferably clamped between the cover plate 56 and the flange 58 of the nozzle holder for avoiding leakageof the steam or liquid.

In operation, tank car or boiler,

the device is applied to the as shown in Figure 1, preferably with the nozzle holderttaking up the position shown, where it occupies a position centrally of the tank and at a point about midway the height thereof. It will be noted that one. nozzleprojects in one direction and the other nozzle in diametrically the opposite direction. The hopper 37 is'filled with a cleansing fluid and the steam port 36 coupled to a steam connection, as indicated at 72 This connection 72 extends to a source of steam supply under pressure and under valve control.

The solvent will descend from the hopper into the chamber 41 and as one or other of the valves 44 and 45 are opened, the solvent will be permitted to the extent of the port area offered to descend into the receiving cups 28 and 29, which extend-upon opposite sides of the steam "chambers and steam passage'30 within the partition 27. From the solvent holder the solvent will descend from the cups'28 and 29 down through the tubes 20 and 21 into the solvent receiving chambers 60 and 61 of the nozzle holder, the solvent 'be- 9 ing freeto flow out through the nozzles 63 and 64. The steam will likewise descend from the solvent holder through the steam tubes 22 and 23 to the steam chambers 67 and 68 in the nozzle'holder.

The steamissuing out through the ports 65 and 66 and all about the outer free ends of the nozzles 63 and 64 Wlll'GXBIt an aspirating or syphoning effect upon the heated liquid solvent in the chambers 60 and 61, this solvent being also heated in the nozzle holder by the presence of the steam about the chambers 60 and 61. The steam will thus draw out proportional quantities of the solvent from the nozzles 63 and 64 in accordance with the velocity thereof and will carry the solvent to all interior partsjof the tank 10. It will also be noted that, as the cups 28 and 29 in the I ments air from the central open at their upper ends to the atmosphere, will permit the drawing in to the cups of quantities of air, which will become entrained with the liquid solvent and be carried therewith down through the tubes and out through the nozzles. These openings in the upper portions of the cups 28 and 29 also form sight openings whereby the progress of the action may be visible and observed by the attendant.

Now heretofore the action of simple steam sprays in tanks has been unsuccessful due to the action of the condensing steam causing conditions commonly known as dead air spaces that prevent the steam from circulating to the entire internal surfaces. In long tank cars, for example, where the inlet and drain openings are at the center, the extreme ends become noncirculative from condensing of the steam which attracts replaceopenings.

A principal feature of the present invention is to inject with the steam a proper quantity of air to offset the condensing and thereby perfect the free circulation of the steam and solvent over the entire interior surface of the tank. A thorough circulation is secured by the disposition of the two nozzles in opposite directions, one nozzle directed toward each end of the tank or cylinder and so proportioned and arranged that the sprayed mixture is projected horizontally through the central section to the extreme ends of the tank. This mixture returns to the centrally located exit 11, where the overfiush escapes from the tank. Under this action the hot, treated air scrubs the surface by 1 force on its return to the exit, thereby causing the dissolved matter to gravitate to the bottom and pass out with the condensate. The double arrangement of solvent and steam chambers balances and equalizes the discharge under pressure at thenozzles and secures a proper interior circulation. Back-fire of the chemicals is safeguarded because the steam has spent its force through the nozzle before it reaches a point where it could backfire through the solvent channels. The tubes may be adjusted up and down in the collar 17 so as to bring the nozzles at any desired elevation and this collar 17 provides a suitable connection to any form of cover. The device may be used with or without chemicals.

Water may be placed in the hopper 37, in which case the steam flow will have a capacity to heat the maximum amount of water admitted to the cups 28 and 29 to boiling. The scalding Water produced may be used to, rinse the surface of the tank without the employment of chemicals.

The device may be constructed of various sizes to meet varying requirements.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims What is claimed is 1. A tank cleaner comprising adjacent liquid chambers accessible to the atmosphere and to a source of liquid supply, a partition separating said chambers and having hot fluid chambers therein in communication with a source of hot fluid supply, a nozzle holder having spaces in communication with said hot fluid chambers and discharge ports leading from said spaces, said holder also having separate chambers in communication with said liquid chambers, and nozzles in the ports connecting with the nozzle holder chambers.

2. A tank cleaner comprising adjacent liquid chambers accessible to a source of cleansing liquid, a partition separating said chambers and having gas chambers therein in communication with a source of hot gas supply under pressure, a nozzle holder having a gas space communicating with said gas chambers and an outlet port connecting with the gas space and having liquid chambers communicating respectively with the first-named liquid chambers, and nozzles in said holder communicating with said second-named liquid chambers and surrounded by said gas space.

3. A tank cleaner comprising adjacent liquid chambers, a valve casing over the chambers having a central chamber and ports lead ing from the central chamber to said liquid chambers, valves controlling said ports, a hopper removably fitted to said central chamber, a gas chamber arranged in heat exchange relation with said liquid chambers, a source of heated gas under pressure communicating with said gas chamber, a nozzle holder, substantially oppositely disposed liquid nozzles respectively communicating with said liquid chambers and mounted in said nozzle holder, means for conducting gas from said gas chamber to said nozzles for spraying liquid from said nozzles, and means for supporting said nozzle holder inside of a tank. 

